Alexanne

THIS! I must find!

Bumping to see if there's any more recs for the most elusive note of them all: the lilac! (at least for me) I have yet to find my lilac scent! Right now I am on the look out for a bottle of Ville-Marie, though - sooo we'll have to see!

I love love love anything orange. I have like 20 oranges in my fridge. No, seriously. I was frimped this last year (haha I had a lot of imps to try?) from the lab, so it is nice and aged. I remember passing this over a year ago so I put it in the "meh, try again later" pile. But I was going through the pile again when.... "Huh? This one smells soooo good!" It smells like orange blossom in the imp. So I slather it on my wrists, arms and neck - and I am LOVING the orange blossom when all of a sudden the smell gets really red, and the raspberry comes out. It mixes together perfectly for me. It is a pretty sweet scent but I'm not getting nauseous over it like usual. As it dries it becomes a little floral/powdery. I don't like this stage as much, I'm not one for powder scents. In about in hour it completely disappears. Oh, Akuma! Why must you tease me!

This is just for personal reference! Note Love: Vanilla Lilac Lavender Honey Violet Olive Blossom Mint White Musk Chamomile Pine Ambergris Fig Maple Note Like: Bergamot Lily of the Valley Sandalwood Plum Carnation Pineapple Grapefruit Coconut Honeysuckle Water Bamboo Apple Sugar (especially brown) Patchouli Amber (in small doses) Most Spices Anise Vetiver Neroli Cinnamon Clove Date Guava Lime/Lemon Molasses Nutmeg Oak Pumpkin Rum Tea (all) Moss Peach Pear Note Dislike/Hate: Freesia Jasmine Melon Almond

If this oil had a color, it would be a light orange. The notes I smell while drying is orange blossom! Which is probably the mandarin and mango together, but to me its pure orange blossom. What I smell after it dried was less mango, and wayyy more musk. The sandalwood works to ground the citrus and does a great job. This isn't sharp in any way, though I wish the mango wouldn't fade as fast. Still smells like orange blossom to me. This lasts for I'd say an two. Only because of my skin chemistry. After about an hour the mandarin almost completely disappears and I'm stuck with a slightly sweet (thanks mango! (: ) sandalwood/white musk combo for the rest of the hour. The throw was BAM in your face at first, but quickly became a 6-inch throw in a matter of a minute. My skin tends to eat citrus, but at least this time the mandarin is holding on a bit longer. Verdict: I love love love this scent, I just wish it would last longer! Will keep around to test and sniff, and maybe try it on the DH although he might find it a little bit too feminine. Who knows?

If this oil had a color, it would be the colors of a tiger lily. The notes I smell while drying is lots and lots of beautiful smelling flowers! Definitely in humid hot house. I'm not good at identifying florals but they're very sweet, as if there was some sort of fruit hidden somewhere in the blend. What I smell after it dried was still a lot of flowers, with a thin whiff of a hot aquatic. No evergreen or cypress. The scent made me feel like what the description portrayed. Like I'm transported to a big tropical jungle with flowers everywhere and a steaming swamp down the road. This lasts for a at least 5 hours before it starts to become harder to smell. The throw was phenomenal. I dabbed my skin once, and I had already put on another imp on most of that arm, but all I could smell was Bayou! Verdict: Its a very interesting mix, and just proves how talented Beth is. How can you make a perfume feel muggy and humid? This definitely accomplished that. This is a little too floral for me, and also a little too humid, I'll keep it around as an imp though.

If this oil had a color, it would be deep grey-blue. The notes I smell while drying is lots of violets without the sharpness (love) with some aquatic note lingering in the background. What I smell after it dried was definitely more of a soapy aquatic, pretty disappointing because my beautiful violets/woods/herbs are nowhere to be found. The scent made me feel clean. Like I just washed with Irish Springs. This lasts for a good couple of hours. As fades it gets even more soapy, though... The throw was great. I smelled it at all times while wearing it, and it got to the point where I could no longer smell my wrist because I got so used to the smell wafting around me. Verdict: Probably going to keep on trying this one in a desperate attempt to find my violets and woods. This is a very complex Irish Springs to me, so if you want to smell like that soap, then go for it and try it!

If this oil had a color, it would be a a creamy forest green. The notes I smell while drying is an amazingly perfect pine scent sweetened by a little bit of amber/vanilla goodness. Dry, the vanilla becomes more prominent but the pine is still standing its ground. They both combine and soon the juniper starts to appear, and the amber tags along at the end. The scent made me feel like I should be driving off back to Seattle to re-vist my favorite old pine forest. It makes me feel nostalgic and makes me yearn to be outside. This lasts for a pretty long time. It lasts for about five hours before its fades. It fades for about half an hour. The throw was decent, I'd have to apply a decent amount for people to smell it while in close proximity with me, but I sort of like it this way for once. I feel like this is my own personal vial of a certain memory and I don't want everyone to know about it. Verdict: Definitely a keeper. Even though this reminds me of past memories, I can't wait to start new ones with it. I want to wear this while hiking and camping.

If this oil had a color, it would be a dark peach. The notes I smell while drying is a sweet apple/floral combination. There is a slight tartness from the apple but it is very subdued compared to other apple scents. Very well rounded. I find myself really falling for the meadowsweet. Dry, it turns into a spicy floral, with the sweetness of the apple lingering around the edges. This floral is more robust, I can only assume its the orchid. Wish I could smell the moss, but its probably in there to keep the sweetness balanced. The scent made me feel very light and confidently feminine. Something to wear with a spring dress or skirt. This lasts for about two hours. It doesn't seem to like my skin very much. The throw was NOT there. Its one of those nose-to-your-wrist scents. Verdict: Pretty, and I'll keep the imp around. Can't break the bank over a perfume with no throw, however.

If this oil had a color, it would be a golden brown. The notes I smell while drying is... I don't smell any of the notes listed. Dry, this... smells... like... caramel popcorn!! I tried this without looking at the notes (it was a frimp), and I was excited to pinpoint exactly what I was smelling (stated above)- and went immediately to this thread to see how many people called it caramel popcorn too. Nope, only me. I've tried it 4 times since then and I cannot for the life of me smell anything else besides popcorn. Which sucks because I really wanted to like this, I love almond milk and coconut and figs! Not so much caramel popcorn. I mean its yummy and everything, but not to wear! The scent made me feel... *cries* wwhhhyyy must you smell like CARAMEL POPCORN?? This lasts for almost six hours before it tuckers down! The throw was moderate. If someone were to give me a hug they would have asked me if I had been to the circus the hour before. Verdict: I'm keeping it anyways... maybe someday....

If this oil had a color, it would be a clear with sugar crystals floating. The notes I smell while drying is a gorgeous white vanilla. The musks follow behind humbly. Its a light and innocent scent. Lots of sugar, too. Am already in love with this. *Swoon* Dry, it smells more rich, more dark, with a hint of water. The morph that took place totally describes the character of Dorian, innocent at first, but soon corrupted into darkness and shallowness. This is such a wonderfully blended oil, all of the notes chasing each other whimsically in circles. It is exactly what the description describes it as. I don't understand how this could be masculine, its too sweet for a man IMO. The scent made me feel uniquely underrated. And I mean that in the best way possible. This is the scent that I go to when I don't want to stand out, but still feel the need to be anyways. This is my compromise. This lasts for a LONG time. It lasts for about five hours before its fades. It fades for about half an hour. The throw was like a subliminal message. I catch a faint wiff of it every once in awhile, but unless I go looking for it, or if people come up close to me, it is only underlying. Verdict: Just ordered a full bottle a couple of days ago! I can't wait to try slathering it, to see if maybe I can get it to throw better - but its fine just the way it is, too. If you love vanilla, and you haven't tried this yet, you should be ashamed of yourself.

If this oil had a color, it would be a redish orange, like the color of rose jelly - if it were to ever exist. The first note I smell while drying is the currants. I never really liked currants at the forefront, so this is meh for me. The rest of the notes, in order is rose, and a little bit of vanilla musk as well. Dry, it makes me sneeze. Maybe its just because of other unrelated allergies though. Now the rose makes a comeback, and takes center stage. But not without the currants trying to break out again. Eventually they give up, and all that's left is a musky rose sitting quietly on my skin. The musk is a very sweet musk, almost like sugar. But not foody in the least. The scent made me feel self-conscious of my red nose because of my sneezing so much. But ignoring my nose, it makes me feel sorta feminine - like I need to put on a dress and comb my hair (I just woke up, thus the hair is up in a knotty bun). Also, like I just washed with some fancy hotel soap. This lasts only a little while. Half an hour going strong, then after that it fades for maybe an extra hour while clinging to skin. The fade is annoying because it goes soapy. The throw was almost non-existent. This is a very intimate oil. Verdict: This was a frimp, and I am glad that I tried it - now I know that I might be able to handle Beth's rose note! But it amps very much so on me until it almost reminds me of soap. Maybe it will grow on me if it were to last longer/throw better, so I'll age it. But at this point, its a no go.

Three white cakes, vanilla, and red and black currants. If this oil had a color, it would be a toasty light brown. The first note... is CAKE! Cake, cake, cake, and cake. Actually, cake crust. Mmmm. This will satisfy the sweetest tooth. The rest of the notes, in order, is vanilla, to make it even more creamy, and currants, to balance it out with its tartness. Dry, it smells a lot like it is when wet, only much more refined and perfume like. It doesn't seem lick-able anymore, unless I sniff it up close - where I again find my beloved cake crust. It has a warm buttery vanilla wafting around, and the currents stay hidden unless intentionally looked for. The scent made me feel like I'm in an elegant, top of the line pastry kitchen. I'm satisfied because I've already sampled all that they've made. This lasts for about half an hour tops, but the fade sticks around for three hours. The throw was ehh. After the half hour it stuck to your skin like glue. Verdict: Cake. Come on, how could you not like this scent? Maybe I don't want to smell like a cake, but I'll keep the imp around just in case someday I do. I'll be prepared.

If this oil had a color, it would be a a reddish brown. The first note while drying is cinnamon sprinkled coffee beans. The rest of the notes, in order is chocolate, and vanilla. The other notes haven't shown up yet. Dry, it smells much more dark, like the coffee beans have been cooking for awhile. It might also be a bitter dark chocolate helping with the above stated effect too. There is a slight vanilla undertone, keeping it closer to a food type of scent, but surprisingly this is pretty wearable. The coffee smell is unbelievable realistic. Unfortunately the cinnamon almost drowns it out. Almost. Too bad there was no pumpkin or hazelnut to speak of. The scent made me feel calm. Like that feeling you have right before you take your first sip of hot coffee in the morning. My husband attributed the scent to cinnamon buns, and then later, cinnamon toast crunch - so there you have it. This lasts for about three hours, and fades for at least five hours. The throw was the strongest I've encountered so far. People constantly comment on it every time I wear it out, even if they're no where near me. Verdict: I bought this bottle unsniffed, hoping it would be right up my alley. When I first received my package, I opened it up and put it on immediately - it smelled *so* bad. Now that it has mellowed out, this is lovely - and is a great coffee scent that I will be keeping for myself.

If this oil had a color, it would be a light burgundy color, with specs of gold floating about. The first note... there really is not a single first note I smell. If I had to take a guess, I would say a sugared plum. The rest of the notes, in order is amaretto and wine. The currants are last, mostly keeping everything from becoming too rich and boozy. Dry, it smells like the exact same as it is wet. Candied plum, swimming in amaretto, with wine drifting in and out and a bite of tartness at the end. Edging towards the line of being too sweet, but the wine keeps it dry enough to keep from becoming sickly. The scent made me feel luscious; luxurious, like I was swimming in warm velvet and silk. I felt very comfortable. Would make a great cold-night-in scent. This lasts only a little while. It only takes half an hour before it fades, and the fade lasts for about two hours. The throw was ehh. As soon it dried, I could only really smell it by putting my nose up close to my hand. I did get faint wiffs while walking around, though, so maybe if I slathered a bit more on... Verdict: I really REALLY wish this stuck around for longer, it would make this an automatic buy. I'll stick with my imp for now (so it can age), and hope I find a similar scent with more lasting power. If not, I'll buy a bottle at that point.

If this oil had a color, it would be a faint purple with orange swirls roaming about... The first note I smell while drying is all of the citrus dancing around each other. Not really too much complexity here. The rest of the notes, in order is a faint bite of mint, and a faint sweetness. Pretty vague compared to all of the citrus screaming out at me. Dry, it's a little more to my liking. The sweetness amps, and I am now able to identify it as lavender. Wow, I didn't know I liked lavender so much! The oakmoss also leaves a nice after-smell, but I am very partial to oakmoss soo... the citrus is still obviously there, but they've settled into their roles nicely. Its like a 51/49 ratio, citrus leading just barely over the lavender/oakmoss combo. After about 10 minutes the chocolate peppermint comes out to play, thankfully. Its surprising how well all of these notes work together. The scent made me feel contridictory, which holds very true to its name. I was energized yet restful. It was like I was sitting outside in the cold in a lavender garden with hot cocoa in one hand and OJ in the other. This lasts only a little while, unfortunately. I'd say it died down after an hour, and faded for maybe two tops. The throw was decent for the first 20 minutes, but it is a close-to-skin scent for the remainder of its wear. Verdict: Bought a bottle of it. I wish there was a scent like this without the citrus that would last a long while, but I haven't found it yet - so for now this will have to do. I think I'll warm up to it once spring/summer comes around - I tend to like citrus more during those months. Plus, I absolutely adore the name - my dad used to talk about the experiment a lot with me when I was little - so its a tad nostalgic as well.

If this oil had a color, it would be a light pink-orange color. The first note I smell while drying is a buttery type note, which must be the pumpkin. The rest of the notes, in order is peach, peach, and peach! Jeez, its like an avalanche of peaches falling on me... Dry, it smells like the avalanche has buried me. Its a very kick-your-butt overly-ripe peach, with a slight lemon-buttery feel to it. Not once indoors do I even get a wiff of real pumpkin or spice, which is sorta disappointing. After it's been sitting there, it started to remind me of a really strongly scented Glade candle. Then, after that, it reminded me of butterscotch. But wait! Outside in the cold, I can smell the bite of pumpkin as a base note! Yay! The scent made me feel a little embarrassed indoors because it was so strongly Glade (Gla-day!), that I thought someone might ask where the candle was. Outdoors, though, it was a great contrast to the chilly autumn air and it made me a little more confident in the oil. This lasts for a LONG time. It stays strong for a good five hours, then fades for another four. The throw was powerfully nauseating inside, to the point where someone who is four feet in front of me would say, "Hey, I smell *insert random foodie scent here*." (my friends are not perfume-inclined, so anything sweet is automatically a cake). Outdoors, however, it was very refreshing for some odd reason. This oil is definitely made for Autumn. Verdict: I'll keep the imp, but I don't think I'll ever use a full bottle, even though it has been one of my imps that I've reached for the most. It's mostly because of the season! Next autumn I do expect to maybe buy another imp too!

Titania (aged 10 months) Very lovely. First the grape hits me, then the peach, then the sweet pea. Eventually it turns into a boozy blend of everything combined, with the top note leaning towards sugar dusted pear. I'm transported to a garden, with a chill in the air. It is full of blooming petals and plump fruit. It is early, the sunrise just peaking through the moonlit night sky. The dew glistens on each individual grass blade, paling the colors of the earth. The scent is on the verge of being too sweet (bubble gum sweet), but walks the line gracefully. Wait for it... wait for it... ugh. There we go. Now its waaayy to sweet. I can't think of anything BUT watermelon bubblegum. If I try not to think about it, I can still smell all of the beauty this scent can bring - but its in my head forever now. Bubblegum. Gross. Verdict: *Grumbles*... stupid thoughts...

White Rabbit (aged 10 months) All of the scents go surprisingly well with each other. The ginger and floral honey both come out as the dominant notes, and then the tea and pepper follow. The linen and milk trails at the end, which makes itself into its own kind of musky comforting base. This scent is very pretty. Unfortunately this fades really fast into a powdery linen-pepper smell (about 10 minutes time), and then fades even quicker into just powdery honey with, oh - there's the vanilla - for a good 8 hours. Where did all of my wonderfully orchestrated notes go? Verdict: A great concept, but completely fails in longevity. Practically, it could be used to help someone fall asleep - but I would not buy again - the end result is only a sub-par scent mixed in with baby powder. *Sigh*

Sea of Glass (aged 10 months) I fell in love with the description of this one. If light bouncing off glass had any sort of a scent at all, it would be this oil. It has the very tip sharpness of a citrus (maybe grapefruit) note, almost salty (ozone). But is has this underlying elegance to it that balances out the sharpness. Doesn't morph at all. This would be a great spring/summertime scent to make you feel instantly cooler. Throw is horrible, you could barely detect it was there 5 minutes in. I had to slather on some more in order to write this whole review. I might just have bad circulation near my wrists though, because on the inside of my elbow it has lasted much longer (because of the heat I assume). Verdict: I wish this had better wear - maybe I wasn't applying enough or something. Might buy again, but it may be a little too sharp for some. I just happen to love citrus and aquatics - and this is the first one I've tried. So far, so good BPAL! Edit: Now that this has matured, I can smell lilac and lily of the valley along with the grapefruit. The ozone is completely gone! This has turned into one of my favorite scents for spring, and I'm planning on buying a bottle. The throw and wear have increased since I've tested it last as well. LILACS!!!

Blood Pearl (aged 10 months) What a cool scent. Its interesting, to say the least. The musk dominates, the orris not far behind leaving a slightly green scent. I couldn't smell the coconut until 10 minutes after I had applied, and it was only a faint after note. But it was welcome addition to the oil, with a true-to-taste smell. After about 20 minutes however, this turns soapy. After an hour, it is barely even there - even when I put my nose right up to my wrists. Just faint soap. Reminds me of this: "The ocean crashes into the cliff hanging outwards toward the distance. The island is swarming with life; the trees blooming in fruits; the animals nursing their young; the moss creeping over the forests. It is springtime, and all is alive and beautiful. The sweetness of the air suffocated any negativity that could arise. But within the island hides that of a cavernous dwelling, where only the deepest of secrets reside. Inside, where the fresh air hardly ever wonders in, it is stale and musky. Only a tiny note of life remains as the breeze finds its way through the crevasses, but it is almost completely captured by the overwhelming fear of the unknown. Here, the darkness suffocates you're consciousness, and within your subconsciousness it grins. There is no escaping yourself." Verdict: Would not buy again, but I'll keep the imp around for novelty. Soap smell is not my favorite, however.

O (Aged 10 Months) Wet = Allll amber. Almost a nauseating amount of amber. It is quite literally the slightest touch of vanilla and honey at first. But after it dries it mellows out and all of the notes intertwine with each other. A very wholesome scent, but with a touch of robustness. Like elegant seduction. Like a orgasmic honeymoon. Not a whole lot of throw (dries close to skin), but it lasted for four or five hours. Verdict: The strong amber smell at the beginning gave me a headache that just didn't go away, even after all of the scents merged together. That ruined it for me completely. *Sighs*

Note: I tested his oil after it had aged 10 months. Wet, it was very heady, and very patchouli. First thing that popped into my head was "Karma" from Lush. Then it morphs. A strong spicy note (black pepper, opium) if I sniff close enough, or creamy spice if I sniff from far away. The vanilla is definitely in the background, but not to the point where you have to go seeking it out. There's nothing not to like about this, truly. But it is very simple - and I sorta let myself down on this one, because I expected a wildly complex and exotic scent. It reminds me of this: "It was a blistering hot night, and still the flames leaped across the sand as the bonfire continued burning. The echo of the drums; the flashes of metal from the tambourines; the movements of the people; the flicker of the fire. It was a magical night, the night where everyone was free; where everyone was connected through the music. The incense and oils burned in the distance; the smoke rising to make a ring over the crowd. The air was full of spirit, full of life, and full of lust." Verdict: I like the scent, but I don't love it. Not yet, anyways. Maybe I just need some more one-on-one time with it. Would be a great scent to bring along for dancing, though, or to wear for your hubby/wifey.

Note: I tested this imp after it had aged 10 months. Thank you, lab for frimping this to me in my first order of BPAL! During the wet phase, it is straight up obnoxious pine, pine, pine with only an pea sized amount of rosemary. Pine immediately gives me flashbacks to Seattle - so I already like the scent as it is - though its nothing to rave about. Its the drydown that is impressive and heart warming/wrenching to me. It turns into a mix of pine and other green spices, mixed with the sweetness of a floral (it might be lilac). The overall combined scent of this scent gives me goosebumps, and transports me right into the heart of my emotions during one of the worst/best times in my life. The scent on its own merit is refreshing and complex. A whole forest of intricate pine tree pathways full of life and dirt, with one small patch of flowers right in the mist of it. Verdict: I love love love this scent due to my own bias, but even then I wouldn't wear it as a perfume unless I'm in the mood for reminiscing, or when I'm in a depressed mood. It feels great to be able to express an entire moment of my life into one little vial. Will get bigger bottle soon.

This scent took my BPAL virginity, so I owe it my first review. Note: I tested this imp after it was already 10 months old. While wet, I smell something a bit off. Like a sour smelling vanilla. There's just something wrong with it that I can't put my finger on. Once it dries it is absolutely stunning, however. Deep vanilla intertwined with sandalwood, with a touch of amber and what must be the oak moss - something earthy. After about 20 minutes, it morphs into something completely different. A light citrus note first takes over the background, and it becomes more musky and floral - the vanilla and sandalwood take a backseat temporarily. Soon after that it decides to morph AGAIN. It gets very sweet (non-foody), almost like the initial drydown scent, only better because the ambergris is now present. The background is slightly floral - but still earthy. I thought that the amber would have been a problem, because too much of it gives me a headache, but it is a nice touch to this beautiful perfume. People can smell it from about a foot away - which to me, is the perfect amount of throw. Lasts for about 6 hours before it becomes close to skin, but will last close to skin for almost 12 hours. Verdict: I am looking forward to buying myself a full bottle, and since it is season-neutral, it'll be worn often. This is the perfect scent of innocence, power and femininity to me. It is utterly unique, yet timeless. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. Also: Did you know that Ambergris is whale vomit? Kinda unsettling, but it doesn't take away from my impression of the scent. Now that's telling you something. Edit: Ah, never mind. Per the lab's website: